The activist and the member for South African Royal Princesses Network (SARPN), Princess Nolly Kafu, appealed to government and police officers to work harder in searching for drugs in the communities.
Kafu said this at the homecoming of a girl (15) from Cabazana location in eMaxesibeni, who was raped and had her eyes gouged out during the Easter weekend.
A suspect has been arrested and will appear in court today, May 5.
The victim was discharged from Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha, after spending almost two weeks at the facility.
Community members and church members from different denominations hosted a special prayer to welcome the girl home.
Community and church members also prayed in the forest where the incident happened.
Kafu said that there was still a lot to be done in order to educate people about gender-based violence.
It is alleged that on Good Friday the victim was on her way home when she was dragged to a nearby forest by the suspect where she was raped. It is also alleged that he stabbed her in her upper body which resulted in her losing her sight. She was helped by a passer-by who called family members and an ambulance which transported her to a nearby hospital to receive medical treatment.
“The more we are hosting these awareness drives, the more these incidents increase. We are now appealing to our police officers to play their role and search for drugs in our communities,” said Kafu.
She said there is still a lot to be done – not only in Mount Ayliff but in all areas because this scourge is all over.
The aunt of the victim said she was getting better every day. She gave thanks for the support they received from people after this incident. “People had showed us huge support, and this made us feel important. Their love had given us some strength to face this new life that we are living now. My niece had asked for privacy until she is better,” said the aunt.
The Spokesperson for National Prosecuting Authority, Luxolo Tyali, confirmed that a suspect has been arrested and will appear today, May 5, in the Mount Ayliff Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application. “He is facing charges of rape and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm,” said Tyali.
